The Junior League of Birmingham is offering Over the Mountain residents a chance to discover new treasures and help their community this month.
The Junior League will host its 33rd Bargain Carousel April 24-27 to raise money to support its programs in the Birmingham area.
This year Bargain Carousel will be back in the former J.C. Penney location at Century Plaza at 7580 Crestwood Blvd., just a short drive from Homewood.
Organizers said this year’s event will feature more than 100,000 items, including adult clothing, appliances, art, books, music, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, heirloom items, holiday decorations, home décor, infant furniture and accessories, kitchen items, lighting, linens, office equipment and furniture, outdoor and sporting goods, rugs and toys.
The sale items will be grouped together by categories in different sections. There will be special shopping sections for heirloom merchandise, which includes antiques and handmade children’s clothes, and for brand new items donated by local businesses.
“Every year strollers and toys are some of our most sought-after items,” said Sarah Peinhardt, Bargain Carousel chairman. “This year we will have several highly desired, brand name strollers for sale starting at $15 and a variety of battery-operated kids’ vehicles.”
Junior League of Birmingham President Kara Myers said sale items are donated by Junior League members.
“Over 6,000 volunteer hours are committed to this fundraiser, and all proceeds raised at Bargain Carousel are returned to the community through the Junior League of Birmingham’s Community Projects,” Myers said.
Elizabeth Burgess, the JLB fund development director, said every trip to Bargain Carousel holds the promise of surprise and the opportunity to make a great find while helping the Birmingham community.
“Bargain Carousel is unique in that the reach goes beyond just those that attend,” Burgess said. “It provides an opportunity to purchase many of life’s necessities at greatly reduced prices, and it helps fund the many community projects that the Junior League of Birmingham supports through the revenue raised.”
Peinhardt said the JLB’s partner agencies depend on the funds raised at the event to support their missions.
“Bargain Carousel is the end result of teamwork and various contributions from many individuals,” she said.
Over the years, shoppers have found many treasures at Bargain Carousel, event organizers said.
JLB member Shelley Gentle said she was preparing to leave Bargain Bash 2013 when she made a last-minute decision to visit the heirloom department. There, she picked up a framed print that turned out to be a piece by French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas entitled “Loges d’Actrices.” The black and white print, made from an etching by Degas, depicts two actresses in their dressing rooms.
When Gentle looked at the piece, she said, she immediately thought of her former art teacher and Altamont School Headmaster Martin Hames, who passed away several years ago.
After researching the piece’s history, Gentle learned that the print matches examples found on the websites for the Yale University Art Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Though the exact date of the print is unknown, a similar print was sold through the Christie Auction House for $3,000 in 2008.
In addition to her own research, Gentle had the print authenticated by a curator at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Shoppers can get a sneak peek at the best the 2014 Bargain Carousel has to offer at the Bargain Bash from 7-10 p.m. April 24. A $40 VIP ticket gets shoppers in the door at 6 p.m. for an hour of early bird shopping privileges. VIP ticket holders will also get food, beverages, first dibs on cash and carry auction items and a chance to bid on more than 150 items in live and silent auctions.
General admission tickets for the Bargain Bash are $30 and allow patrons to shop from 7-10 p.m.
Organizers said hundreds of people are known to line up for pre-sale tickets, which will be available this year from 3-7 p.m. April 25. Shoppers can purchase up to four tickets at $10 each for the Saturday sale.
“I always come to purchase holiday decorations whether it is for Christmas, Easter or Halloween,” said Ryan Graham of Vestavia Hills. “I love having something new to add to my collection every year.”
Bargain Carousel 2014 will kick off at 8 a.m. April 26 and end at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 from 8-10 a.m. and $5 from 10 am.-5 p.m.
At the Saturday sale, all tickets will be numbered, and shoppers will enter the Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket numbers.
The sale continues from 1-5 p.m. April 27 with free admission and half-price merchandise.
For more information, visit www.bargaincarousel.net, call 879-9861 or visit the Bargain Carousel Facebook page.
